Psalm 49

The Folly of Trust in Riches

To the leader. Of the Korahites. A Psalm.1 Hear this, all you peoples; give ear, all inhabitants of the world,
2 both low and high, rich and poor together.
3 My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.
4 I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will solve my riddle to the music of the harp.

5 Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of my persecutors surrounds me,
6 those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches?
7 Truly, no ransom avails for ones life,* there is no price one can give to God for it.
8 For the ransom of life is costly, and can never suffice,
9 that one should live on for ever and never see the grave.*

10 When we look at the wise, they die; fool and dolt perish together and leave their wealth to others.
11 Their graves* are their homes for ever, their dwelling-places to all generations, though they named lands their own.